Gas cock with safety detent



-- July 12, 1960 s. F. JAROS 2,944,784 GAS COCK WITH SAFETY DETENT Filed Feb. 9, 1959 mmvron.

STANLEY F. JAROS ATTORNEYS United States Patent] 44,1114 oAs cocK WITH SAFETY DETENT Stanley laros, 18850 S. Woodland, Cleveland, Ohio 7 Filed Feb. 9,1959, Ser. No. 791,951

p 4 Claims. (Cl. 251-110) v This invention relates to a detent arrangement of very low cost for-use insubassemblies comprising a stem for imparting arcua'te motion to a control member where it is desired that the stem be rotated between two extreme angular positions and that the stern be locked atone of such angular positions to be movedtherefrom only upon releasing of the lock of the detent by a motion other than the angular motion required in moving the stem between its extreme angular positions.

The invention is particularly applicable to use in gas cocks or valves where-code requirements specify that the valve shall not be capable of being turned on unless a separate release is first actuated. This is acommon safety requirement specified by law in many areas.

The invention contemplates the provision of a casing where all openings may be circular bores, the main bore P, ICC

port 16 in the valve plug 12 being cut off from the gas 21 being formed at the handle end of the main bore.

* bore (Figures 2 and 6).

It will be noted that the housing does not include any quarter-milling or cast-in irregularity or the like.

The stem 13 has a bore 18 formed thereon, which in the illustrated example of the invention is a threaded The stem 13 has an arcu-ate exterior surface 19 and alsohas a fiat formed thereon which intersects the arcuate exterior surface and also intersects the bore 18.

The adjacent washers 30 and 40 are received on the stem 13 and have arcuate inner edge portions 31 and 41,

respectively, received on the arcuate exterior'surface 19' of the stem. The washer 40 constitutes a stop washer. A projection 42 is provided on such stop washer and-is received within the key slot 21 formed at the end of the casing 10 to key the stop washer 40 against rotation.

' the stem is turned between its extremeangular positions,

it abuts against the opposite side of this projection 44;

' that is, in one angular position (the open position) it being provided with a short key slot, without any quartermilling or cast-in irregularities or the like being neces sary. The main bore receives very inexpensively made members which are so arranged that a stem rotated within such casing is limited at two extremeangular positions and is positively but releasably locked by adetent at one. of such'positionsf p More particularly the invention contemplates the use of a pair of adjacent washers one of which'm'ay be designated a stop washer and the other of which may be designated a detent washer, .the washers being related with other partsto accomplish the desired mechanical rela-' tionship. The Washers can be manufactured at very low cost and therefore enable significant economies to. be

' realized.

One'con'c rete example of the invention is described in some detail below and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevationin cross-section of a valve' assembly embodying the present invention.

'Figure 2 is a view taken on the plane of line 2-2 in Figure 1. i

Figure 3 is a detail view of the detent washer employed in the illustrated example. 1 Figure 4 is an isometric view of the washer shown in Figure3. V I

Figure 5 is a view similar toFigurle .4' but showing inaddition the' stop washer employed in this embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a view similar toll-figure Shut showing in addition the valve plug-stemponwhichthe detent washer :and the stop washer are received. Shown in Figure l is-a valvecasing 10 having a plug :seat 11 against which is receiveda valve plug 12"which is provided with a plug stem 13. .In th'e pa1ti cularexample illustrated, the endoffthe plugfstem '13 is pro" abuts against a first side 45 and in the opposite position (the illustrated closed position) it abuts against the second opposite side 46. e

The other washer 30 constitutes a detent washer which has an inboard section generally indicated by the reference numeral 32 which is located radially inwardly of its associated arcuate inner edge "portion 31., The inthe bore 18. There is formed in the-inboard section 32 a radially extending split 35 which divides the'inboard section into two parts,3.the firstof which includes the 'lugi34. Extending laterally from the radially extending formed as an arcuately extending continuation, asshown.

.The first part of the inboard section 32 comprising the portion which is above the'split 35 as shown in Figure 3 is axially displaced progressively more and more at lo-,

cations proceeding from the termination 'of the continuation 36 of the split and proceeding to the'juncture-thereof with the radially extending split 35, as perhaps most clearly indicated in Figure 4. The associated edge of the .12 and'the detent washer 30 and this spring urges thedetent washer against the stop washer 40. This subassembly added with a :boss 14 which has integrally formed there is retained byia snap ring 51 which is received within a lip 52 defined by .a circular groove-formed'near the end of the main casing bore.

Pushing'means is provided ,extending'through theval've stem bore 18 for engaging the lug 34 to urge the washers the first side 45 of the stop'washer projection 44 to allow the flat 20 on the valve stem to be turned away from the opposite second side 46 of the projection 44. In the apparatus shown in the drawings, the open end of the valve stem bore 13 is in efiect red uced in diameter by receiving a hollow bolt-55i A nail having a stem- 56 and a head 57 extends through such reduced open end and engageable with the lug 34; An expanded means or flat is formed on the stem 56 for retaining the stem against withdrawal through the reduced open end provided by the bolt 55.

The showings of all the figures correspond to the off position of the valve. When the valve is to be turned to the on position, the head 57 is pushed inwardly causing the stem 56 to push against helug or button 34' to force the detent washer 3 9 axially inwardly against the. bias of the spring 56''. The edge 37 of the split 35 clears the side 35 of thestop' Washer projection 44 and it becomes possible to turn the valve stem counterclockwise (as viewed in Figure 2) throngh'a- 90 degree angle to move'the flat 20 away from the edge 46 of the stop washer projection 44" and into abutting relation with the opposite edge 450 f the stop washer projection 44. The valve is then open. The detent' washer 30 moves angularly with the stem 13 because the chordal edge 33 (the top portion thereof, as viewed in Figure 3) is engaged by the flat 20.

When the valve is to be closed, the stem is rotated clockwise (as viewed in Figure 2) to move the flat 20 away from the first edge 45 and into abutting relation with the second or opposite edge 46 of the stop washer projection 44. The valve is then closed. The detent washer 30 moves angularly with the stem 13 because the chordal edge 33 (the lower portion thereof, as viewed in Figure 3) is engaged by the flat 2%. When the edge 37 of the split 35 passes angularly beyond the side 45 of the stop washer projection 44, the detent washer snaps into locking position.

Valves of the type to which the invention presently appears to be most pertinent are manufactured in vast quantities from brass stock. The accomplishment of the desired mechanical relationships through the use of the adjacent detent washer and stop washer as described provides a valve housing which is hardly larger than that of a conventional detentless valve of the same capacity. This accomplishes a significant cost saving over other comparable detent valves inasmuch as the washers are inexpensive to fabricate as are the remainder of the; moving parts. In fact, many valves not provided with a detent arrangement nevertheless employ a fiat on the yalve stein so that the only increased cost over this latter case is the relatively low cost of drilling or threading the valve stem to provide the bore 18 and the cost of providing the nail 57, together with suitable retaining means such as the bolt 55. The unit cost of these latter elements is very low.

The above description of the invention should make is apparent that many details of the apparatus embodying the invention may be variexl without departing from the teaching of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to precise details of the specifically described embodiments but is to be defined by the following claims.

'What is claimed is: j

1. A hollow casing having a plug seat, a plug received on said seat, a stem on said plug, 'a bore in said stem, said stem having an arcuate exterior surface and also having a flat which intersects said arcuate exterior surface and also intersects said bore, a pair of adjacent washers received on said stern and having arcuate inner edge portions received on said arcuate exterior surface of said stem, one of said washers constituting a stop washer, means keying said stop washer against rotation, said stop washer having a projection extending radially inwardly from its arcuate inner edge portions against opposite sides of which projection said flat abuts when said stem is turned between extreme angular portions, the other of said washers constituting a detent washer, said detent washer having an inboard section radially inward of its associated arcuate inner edge portion, said inboard section having edge portions formed as a chord of the circle on which lies its said associated arcuate inner edge portion, said chordal edge portions being received on said flat, a lug integral with a part of said inboard section and extending further radially inwardly beyond said chord to the diametrical center of said'detent washer and to within said bore, a radially extending split in said inboard section dividing it into two parts the first of which includes sa-idl-ug', an arcuately extending. continuation of said split, said first part of said inboard section being axially displaced progressively more and more at locations proceeding from the termination of said continuation of said split and proceeding to the juncture thereof with said radially extending split, the associated edge of said radially extending split being at the same axiallocation as said stop washer and abuttin'ga first of said opposite sides of said radially inwardly extendingstop washer projection when said flat abuts these'cond of said opposite sides of said stop washer projection, compression spring means between said plug and saiddetent washer and urging said detent washer against said stop washer, and pushing means extending through said bore from the exterior end of said plug sternfor: engaging said lugto urge said washers apart against the bias of said'compiession spring means to release said associated edge of said radially extending split from abutment with the first of said opposite sides of said radially inwardly extending, stop washer projection to allow said fiat to be turned away from the second of said opposite: sides of said projection and toward the first of said oppositesides of said projection.

2. A detent washer for use in adjacency with a stopwasher, said detent washer having an. arcuate inner edge portion, an inboard section radially inward of said arcuate inner edge portion, said inboard section having edge portions formed as a chord of the circle on which lies said associated arcuate inner edge portion, 2'. lug integral with a part of said inboard section. and extending further radially inwardly beyond. said chord to the diametrical center of said washer, a radially extending split in said inboard section dividing it into two parts the first of which includes said lug, an arcuately extending continuation of said split, said first part of said inboard section. being axially displaced. from the remainder of the washer structure progressively more and more at locations proceeding from the termination of said continuation of said split and proceeding to the juncture thereof with said radially extending split.

3. A subassembly comprising a stem for imparting arcuate motion to a controlled member, a bore in said stem, said stem having an arcuate exterior surface and also having a flat which intersects said arcuate exterior surface and also intersects said here, a pair of adjacent washers received on said stem and having arcuate inner edge'portions received on said arcuate exterior surface of said stem, one of said washers constituting a stop washer, means keying said stop' washer against rotation, said stop washer having a projection extending radially inwardly from its arcuate inner edge portions against opposite sides of which projection said fiat abuts when said stem'i's turned between extreme angular positions, the other of said washers constituting a detent washer, said detent washer having an inboard section radially inward of its associated arcuate inner edge portion, said inboard section having edge portions formed as a chord of the circle on which lies its said associated arcuate inner edge portion, said chord'al edge portions being received on said flat, a lug integral with a part of said inboard section and extending further radially inwardly tending split in said inboard section dividing it into, two parts the first of which includes said lug, a continuation of said split extending laterally therefrom, said first part of said inboard section being axially displaced progressively more and more at locations proceedingfrom the termination of said continuation of said split and proceeding to the juncture thereof with said radially extending split, the associated edge of said radially extending split being at the same axial'location as said stop Washer and abutting a first of said opposite sides of said radially inwardly extending stop washer projection when said fiat abuts the second ofsaid opposite sides of said stop washer projection.

4. A hollow casing having a plug seat, a plug received on said seat, a stemon said plug, a bore in said stem, said stem having an arcuate exterior surface and also having a flat which intersects said arcuate exterior surface and also intersects said bore, a pair of adjacent washers received on said stem and having arcuate inner edge portions received on said arcuate exterior surface of said stem, one of said washers constituting a stop washer, means keying said stop washer against rotation, said stop washer having a projection extending radially inwardly from its arcuate inner edge portions against opposite sides of which projection said flat abuts when said stem is turned between extreme angular positions, the other of said washers constituting a detent washer, said detent washer having an inboard section radially inward of its associated arcuate inner edge portion, said inboard section having edge portions formed as a chord of the circle on which lies its said associatedarcuate ceived on said fiat, a lug integral with a part of said inboard section and extending further radially inwardly beyond said chord to the diametrical center of said detent washer and to within said bore, a radially extending split in said inboard section dividing it into two parts the first of which includes said lug, an arcuately extending continuation of said split, said first part of said inboard section being axially displaced progressively more and moreat locations proceeding from the termination of said continuation of said split and proceeding to, the juncture thereof with said radially extending split, the associated edge of said radially extending split being at the same axial location as said stop washer and abutting a first of said opposite sides of said radially inwardly extending stop washer projection when said fiat abuts the second of said opposite sides of said stop washer projection, compression spring means between said plug and said detent washer and urging said detent washer against said stop washer, a snap ring on the side of said stop washer opposite to said detent washer, said snap ring being engaged with said casing to retain both said washers against the urging of said spring means, the open end of the valve stem bore beingreduced in diameter with respect to axially inner portions thereof, nail means extending through said reduced open end and engageable with said lug, expanded means on the stem of said nail means for retaining said stem against withdrawal throughs'aid reduced open end.

No references cited.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,944,784 July 12, 1960 Stanley F. Jaros,

It is herebjr certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters 1 Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 1, for "portions" read positions Signed and sealed this 6th day of December 1960.

( SEAL) Attest;

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT c. WATSON Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

